North Dakota Century Code Title 40. Municipal Government § 40-02-01. Requisites for incorporation as city

1. If the territory has residing therein a population of not more than five hundred inhabitants, it may become incorporated as a city under the council or modern council form of government. If the territory has residing therein a population of not less than five hundred inhabitants, it may become incorporated as a city under the council or modern council form of government, or as a city under the commission system of government.

2. If the proposed municipal corporation has, in the view of the board of county commissioners of the county in which the proposed municipal corporation is located, all the qualities necessary to ensure continued viability as a functioning unit of municipal government.